Reading | The Wise Fisherman

An American businessman on holiday in Mexico was standing in the pier of a small coastal village, when a tiny boat with just one fisherman pulled alongside. Inside the boat were some large and very healthy-looking tuna fish. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it had taken him to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Not long, Senor I have been out in my boat for a few hours only”

The American, somewhat puzzled, then said “You are obviously a good fisherman, and these are very healthy looking fish, so why don’t you stay out longer and catch some more?” The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time”? The Mexican fisherman said “I am completely free to do whatever I want. I play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village every evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and rewarding life, Senor.”

The American scoffed, “Ah, you may think so now…He took out his business card. I am a Harvard graduate in business management and I can help you. The way I see it-you should spend more time fishing each day, and with the proceeds of what you catch you can buy a bigger boat. After some time you could sell the bigger boat and buy several boats, and eventually you would have your own fleet. We’d need to hire more fisherman, of course, but don’t worry. I know just the person to help us recruit them.”

By now, the American had produced a pad and pen, and was busily drawing flow charts and diagrams.
“In a few years”, he continued,” instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. That way, you would control the product, the processing and the distribution. Of course, you would need to leave this village and move, say to Mexico City. We’d need to increase your profile in the market, you understand. From there, you’d probably move to Los Angeles and eventually to New York, where you could control your successful and expanding business.”

The American stopped, somewhat out of breath, and waited for the fisherman’s grateful acceptance of his advice. The Mexican fisherman pondered. “But, Senor, how long will this all take?”

The American, now working on his Psion calculator and scribbling on his pad, replied, ‘”Oh, I should say somewhere in the region of 15 to 20 years.”
“But what then, Senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the really clever part. When the time is right-and I should be happy to advise you-you could float the company on the stock market, sell your stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”

“Millions, Senor?” Asked the fisherman, rubbing his chin. “And after that, what then?”
The American said. “Well, eventually you would be able to retire a wealthy man and choose exactly the life you wanted for you and your family. For example, you might move to a small coastal fishing village. You would be completely free to do what you want. You could play with your children, take siesta with your wife and stroll into the village each evening, where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos. You could have a full and rewarding life.”

The fisherman thought for a moment and then said, “Thank you for the advice. Senor, but if you don’t mind I think I’ll save myself the 15 years, and stay right where I am!”

Be sure that the goal you think you want is actually what you do want, and that you haven’t been persuaded by some well-meaning management consultant!

Go to the discussion area, goals section and answer the "fisherman" question.